Continuing Professional Development and Training

• The Microbiology laboratory provides training and educational opportunities for all its staff and is fully committed to their development. The aspirations and personal development plans of each individual are identified by annual appraisal.

• All consultant medical microbiologists and virologists and state-registered clinical scientists participate in the continuing professional development (CPD) scheme of the Royal College of Pathologists. CPD is compulsory for biomedical scientists and all qualified staff are encouraged to participate in the CPD programme of the IBMS.

• Microbiology laboratory offers training in both microbiology and virology to specialist registrars on the regional training programme towards membership of the Royal College of Pathologists. Specialist registrars in infectious diseases and public health medicine are regularly given placements. From 2005, junior doctors at Foundation level 2 will be given training in microbiology and virology.

• The laboratory is approved by the HCPC for training of Biomedical Scientists in bacteriology and virology and fully supports the PHE Clinical Scientist training scheme. An ongoing training programme supports staff studying for academic and managerial qualifications and attending specialist technical courses, workshops and meetings.

• Short-term placements and update secondments in both microbiology and virology are encouraged for all grades of staff and can be arranged by discussion with the Clinical Lead or Laboratory Manager.